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Ireland rugby captain Rory Best and international team mate Iain Henderson did not seek
permission or inform the IRFU of their intention to attend Belfast Crown Court where their
Irish and Ulster team-mates Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding are standing trial for rape.
Irish coach Joe Schmidt was also not asked for his permission by Mr Best and Mr
Henderson before they travelled to Belfast Crown Court last Wednesday and were
subsequently photographed, the Sunday Independent understands.
A source close to the camp said the union was taken by surprise when two of their star
players turned up at the trial.
Mr Jackson and Mr Olding are accused of raping a 19-year-old woman in June 2016, with
Mr Jackson also facing an additional charge of sexual assault. They both deny the charges.
A third man, former Ulster Academy player Blane McIlroy, is charged with indecent
exposure, while ex-UCD and Belfast Harlequins player Rory Harrison is accused of
perverting the course of justice and withholding information. Both deny the charges.
Both team captain and hooker Mr Best and lock Mr Henderson had been preparing for last
night's opening NatWest Six Nations clash against France at the Irish training camp at
Carton House in Maynooth on Monday and Tuesday last week.
Last Wednesday was a rest day for the players and the two players went to Belfast before
returning to the team HQ in time for training last Thursday.
Mr Best opted not to explain their decision when questioned by media at the traditional
'captain's run' in Paris last Friday.
But last night, after Ireland beat France, Mr Best broke his silence. He said: "Wednesday
was our day off and we don't need permission to do stuff on our own time.
Read More: 'How many times does it take for a girl to say no, for it to sink in?'
"The reason I was there is it's on the record that I've been called as a character witness and
I was advised that it was important to get both sides of the story so that I could make an
informed decision about that. And because it's an ongoing legal matter I'll not make any
further comment other than that."
The Sunday Independent sent 10 questions relating to the circumstances surrounding the
two international stars travelling to Belfast, but the IRFU declined to answer them.
A spokesperson said: "We confirmed to the BBC last Wednesday that any person attending
court proceedings does so in a personal capacity. It would be inappropriate for the IRFU to
comment on any matter pertaining to ongoing legal proceedings.
"We must respect the primacy and importance of the ongoing trial and to do so we must
ensure that we provide no information, or comment, that could either directly or indirectly
impact upon it."
Print and broadcast media were also issued with a warning prior to a press conference at
the Carton House in Maynooth last Thursday that any questions relating to the trial or the
attendance of Mr Best and Mr Henderson at Belfast Crown Court would not be addressed.
A source close to the camp said: "Every week in camp when it comes to their day off the
players can do whatever they want to do. They don't have to run it by the IRFU.
"It would never be a case that they would seek permission for anything. The IRFU wouldn't
be able to stop them doing whatever they wanted to do on their day off either.
"For the past few days the players and coaches' minds have been on the game.
"If the house burned down before kick-off I doubt it would be addressed. It won't even be
discussed in France."
The source added: "People need to understand the lads are all like brothers. They are very
close. So if he attended it was out of his relationship with his team-mates."
Asked how the IRFU would feel about the attendance, the source said: "You can't imagine
they would be too happy."
When asked before yesterday's game if the players' performance on the pitch would be
affected by their attendance at the trial, coach Joe Schmidt said the team were in a "bubble"
ahead of the Six Nations kick-off.
"Players, they're very good on staying focused to what they need to do in the very short
term and anything else will be discussed or solved at a later date."